Used Car Checklists

2024 Lincoln Navigator: What to check before buying

Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the suspension. The 6 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.

Lincoln Navigator2024
Owner complaints
14
Recalls
7
Crashes reported
2
Reliability
Good
64/100 on Auto Reliability Index

Run the VIN before you go

A history report shows accidents, title brands, odometer readings, and open recalls for this 2024 Lincoln Navigator. Ask the seller for the VIN; it is also on the dash at the base of the windshield.

Your inspection sheet

Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.

These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.

Reported on other Navigator years with the same design

These years share the 2024's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.

2023 Navigator

5 owner complaints
  • Electrical 3

Worth adding to your 2024 checks

  • Start the vehicle several times over the test drive and confirm it cranks and starts every time.
  • After each start, time how long the center screen and backup camera take to come on.
  • Shift into reverse several times and confirm the camera image appears, stays live, and does not freeze.
Open the 2023 checklist

2022 Navigator

16 owner complaints
  • Electrical 7

Worth adding to your 2024 checks

  • Use the center screen through every menu on a long test drive and watch for blackouts or reboots.
  • Open and close each door several times. Confirm the running boards deploy, retract, and stay down when stepped on.
  • Inspect the panoramic sunroof glass for chips, cracks, or bowing, and ask whether it has ever been replaced.
Open the 2022 checklist

2021 Navigator

26 owner complaints
  • Transmission 4
  • Engine 4
  • Wipers and visibility 3

Worth adding to your 2024 checks

  • Accelerate firmly from 50 mph on a highway and watch for slipping into neutral, lost power, or a harsh lurch back into gear.
  • Watch the dash for Shift System Fault or Powertrain Malfunction messages and ask for any transmission repair records.
  • Run the VIN through federal recall records and confirm every open recall has been completed by a Lincoln dealer.
Open the 2021 checklist

Which Navigator is it?

EPA figures for each version of the 2024 Lincoln Navigator. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.

VersionDriveEPA rating
3.5L 6-cyl4WD18 mpg
  • Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Navigator that averages well under the EPA 18 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.

Why these checks: what owners reported

NHTSA complaints for the 2024 Lincoln Navigator, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.

  • Suspension5No crashes

    A persistent vibration comes through the steering wheel and seat, often from new. It is worst at highway speeds of 70 to 85 mph but can start as low as 40 to 50 mph. Owners also describe a rough ride, rattles, and a shimmer through the whole cabin that tires them on long drives. Dealers rebalance or replace tires, sometimes several full sets, and one report adds a new transfer case and rear drive shaft. None of these repairs cures it. Owners say Lincoln knows about the problem but has no fix. None of the reports mentions a crash or loss of control.

In owners' own words

Excerpts from complaints Navigator owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.

Suspension
The vehicle vibrates, specially over 50MPH. Problem reported 3 times to Lincoln. Lincoln claims they know there is an issue with 2024 navigators drivability, but cannot offer a solution at this time.

Filed with NHTSA, August 2025

How the 2024 compares with other Navigator years

Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.

The 2024 ranks sixth for owner complaints among 8 Navigator years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.

2024 Average of other years
  • Suspension50

Where the 2024 fits in the Navigator's history

Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.

The 2024 is the seventh model year of the Navigator's fourth generation (2018–2024).

It includes the 2022 update.

What changed for 2022

  • Introduced new 13-inch center touchscreen
  • Enhanced features including BlueCruise and improved interior

Recalls to confirm (7)

Recall repairs are free at any Lincoln dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.

  1. 26V165000Backup cameraMar 2026

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Lincoln Navigator, 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2025 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. The Image Processing Module A (IPMA) may experience multiple unexpected resets, resulting in loss of the rearview camera image and advanced driver assistance (ADAS) features, including pre-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring.

    Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image and certain driver assistance features, can reduce the driver’s ability to detect hazards, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: The Image Processing Module A software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S21. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 25, 2026.

  2. 26V104000ElectricalFeb 2026

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.".

    Risk: Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 17, 2026.

  3. 25V315000Backup cameraMay 2025

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco, F-150, 2021-2024 Edge, 2022-2025 Escape, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, 2022-2024 Expedition, 2022-2025 Transit, 2021-2023 Mach-E, 2024 Ranger, Mustang, 2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus, 2022-2024 Navigator, and 2023-2024 Corsair vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.

    Risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Owner notification letters were sent on October 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S49.

  4. 25V314000BrakesMay 2025

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Navigator and Expedition vehicles. The front brake lines may contact the engine air cleaner outlet pipe and become damaged, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak and reduced brake function.

    Risk: A loss of brake function increases the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect the front brake line and replace the brake line or air cleaner outlet pipe, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S47.

  5. 25V198000EngineMar 2025

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Expedition, and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. The engine may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.

    Risk: A rapid oil leak can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine cup plug alignment, and replace the plug if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S30.

  6. 24V851000EngineDec 2024

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, 2024 Expedition and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine. The engines may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.

    Risk: A rapid oil leak can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine cup plug alignment, and replace the plug if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 23, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S70.

  7. 24V852000EquipmentNov 2024

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection.".

    Risk: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    Fix: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.

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